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Can you safely leave things in safari tents? I've just been looking at them as a option in some of the parks but they look a bit "flimsy".
Any advice much appreciated

Tim

Hi Tim

In all my years of going to kruger for 90 % of those holidays was spent in a tent in Kruger and Ive never ever had anything stolen, as long as you keep your camara, wallet and things like that somewhere locked away when your sleeping or on you when your out you have nothing to worry about also be sure not to leave ANYTHING food wise or other lying around outside the tent otherwise the monkeys or baboon will raid your tent other than that your perfectly safe

Agreed, if you lock up your luggage and keep your valuables with you (the same as you would in any accommodation), and you are careful with your food to keep monkey/baboon interest to a minimum, you shouldn't have any troubles.

We loved staying in the safari tents. It's a very unique experience!

In all the years I have been going to the Kruger Park I have never had a single incident of anything going missing, be it in a bungalow or tent. I go out for the day leaving things lying around on the patio and nothing has ever been touched. That is the beauty of the Kruger.
Naturally you will have your money, camera etc with you.

However as mentioned, to leave food out is a no no. Baboons or Monkeys will either eat it or ruin it.

The biggest problem in the tents.



and



Always my favourite place to stay. Keep food locked away though. I have even had a situation where monkeys managed to slip through the netting over the windows to get to my sweet potatoes.

I often go to the Park alone and not the biggest person. I have never felt scared or threatened at all.

Agree with MM. They can even open a Tent Zip, with one "hand"

Whether in a chalet, safari tent or plain camping, the vervets and baboons are the "robbers" to be wary of!

Several times, staying in chalets, we have turned our backs for one moment and had vervet monkeys rush inside and pinch something.
Their favourite trick is to watch as you arrive and start unpacking your car - if you leave the boot/back open for a split second they are in there and you must shut the chalet door securely each time you go back to the vehicle!

The most amusing was when I was on my own at Tamboti.
During the night I kept on hearing a rustling noise inside the tent.
All food was safely put away.
I couldn't work it out.
In the morning I discovered tiny teeth marks on the bar of soap in the bathroom - probably a squirrel!
I think he had also been trying to get into sealed bags in the tent - accounting for the noise.

Tim - you will love the safari tents - a real feeling of being in the bush!
Just look after your valuables and your food!

Been visiting Kruger and other SAN parks regularly since 1982 and have never had any problems with things going missing....and we tend to be quite lax about security. We (not me!) once manged to leave a bag containing wallet (heavily loaded with cash), camera, 5 UK passports, airline tickets and various other useful and expensive items at the restaurant at Satara. By the time we realised it was no longer with us we were committed to continue to our next stop at Skukuza where we asked reception staff for help. Within an hour they came and told us our bag was safe and would be delivered to us the following day. It was, and nothing at all had been taken. Restores your faith in human nature.

When it comes to theft from certain other park residents however it is a different story! Not only have we had the usual problems with monkeys and baboons but we once watched in amazement (from inside our hut where we were recovering from our overnight UK flight) as an adult vervet monkey showed a couple of youngsters how to open our outdoor fridge, opening then closing the door repeatedly. They then took out a couple of unopened juice cartoons, bit off the top and sat there drinking from them. At this stage we roused ourselves and chased them off...which i know we should have done earlier but we were in that muzzy minded post flight fug. We have also had to chase off a very persistent honey badger at Tamboti, genets at Punda and a massive monitor lizard at Mopani. All adds to the experience!

Agree with all the previous comments. Keep your valuables with you. Don't leave food lying about.

We had an incident in Skukuza - We were staying in a hut and had dutifully stacked the chairs in front of the (outdoor) fridge. We went out for the afternoon and when we came back, we saw a banded mongoose scurry out from the fridge. Two buddies were acting as lookouts. They had managed to open the door and left a pile of shredded cheese in the bottom of the fridge.

Moral of the story - It's not only baboons and vervets that you have to watch out for, in tents or huts. The fridges in the tents in Lower Sabie are in a cage which you secure with a chain and padlock. Use it, or take your chances.

We currently staying in a river tent at LS. It is just fantastic!!

Came back 2 days ago to find a crack squad of SAS baboons raiding all the tent bins. We chased them away and they strategically retreated to a nearby tree. We however had the last laugh when a leopard climbed into their tree and all hell was let loose....

must be leopard security services!!!............

I have a confession to make

Those who know me well will testify that I have a habit of getting lost. I also have a habit of walking into the wrong bungalows.

The first time I stayed at Tambotie, I had a 4 bedded tent all to myself.



I dropped off my kit and left for a drive. When I arrived back, I opened my door and walked into utter chaos. Clothing was strewn everywhere, it was mixed up with a good deal of toiletries.. and.. and and...

I looked in horror..only it was not my clothing.

Certain critters had broken into the tent and had the time of their lives. They were long gone.. My other problem was, how do I explain to complete strangers what I was doing in their tent.



I quietly retreated and that I would not be found out.

Oh dear, the life of a meandering rodent.

Hi everyone
I'm read that fridges that can with the huts/bungalows are actually outside them and that monkeys can open them and take the food. Is this true?

Tim yes the monkeys and baboons raid the fridges But the solution is to tie a cord around the fridge and then turn the door to face the wall and then prop the table against the fridge and then they might not be able to get in. !!!